Sunday evening traffic on Interstate 80 near Colfax turned deadly in a way no driver could have seen coming. A young man heading west found himself in the wrong place at the worst possible moment, when loose cargo from a semi-truck came sailing across the median and straight into his path.
The crash happened around 6 p.m. on I-80 east of Des Moines, according to the Iowa State Patrol. A passenger car was traveling westbound while a semi-truck moved east on the opposite side of the highway. Everything appeared normal until part of the truck’s load suddenly broke free.
Investigators said the dislodged cargo crossed the grassy center median and struck the westbound car without warning. There was no time to brake or swerve. The impact was instant and unforgiving, turning a routine drive into a fatal encounter.
The driver of the car was identified as Drew Peterson, a 22-year-old man from Worden, Illinois. He was pronounced dead at the scene. State officials extended their condolences to his family and friends, who are now left grappling with a loss that came out of nowhere.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. Parts of the interstate slowed as responders secured the area and cleared debris from the roadway. Drivers passing through Colfax were urged to slow down and remain alert as the investigation unfolded.
So far, authorities have not released details about the semi-truck or exactly what type of cargo came loose. Investigators are still working to determine how the load became unsecured and whether any mechanical failure or human error played a role.
The Iowa State Patrol stressed that unsecured cargo can be deadly, especially on high-speed interstates like I-80. Even small mistakes in loading or securing freight can have tragic consequences for people who never see it coming.
No charges or citations have been announced, and officials say it is too early to draw conclusions. The investigation remains active, and troopers are carefully reviewing all available evidence before making any determinations.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or noticed anything unusual in the moments leading up to it is being asked to contact the Iowa State Patrol. As the case continues, authorities are urging the public to rely on confirmed information and to keep Drew Peterson’s loved ones in their thoughts during this painful time.
